Rapid prototyping silicone rubber parts is a process that could result in many benefits for your manufacturing specifications. With an efficient rapid prototyping process, companies can obtain a high-quality product for several applications.
Silicone Rubber is a type of elastomer used for manufacturing a wide variety of products that require elastic properties, such as gaskets, seals, O-rings, and medical devices. It can withstand high temperatures, chemicals, oils, solvents, water, and other harsh environments. This material has good mechanical properties but requires curing at a relatively low temperature.
Manufacturers use a 3D printer to create the model of a part and then cure it to make a prototype. After verifying the fit and functionality of the prototype, multiple copies are printed out using different colors of resin. The final step is removing the excess material and sanding down any imperfections.
THREE TECHNICAL TERMS TO CONSIDER
1. Silicone Rubber (SIL)
Silicone rubber is a synthetic elastomer that has been used in many industries, including the medical industry. This material can be easily processed into different forms such as sheets, tubes, films, and molds. Its properties include high-temperature stability, excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and good adhesion. These features make this material suitable for use in medical devices, implants, and microfluidic components, to mention a few.
2. Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP)
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) refers to the production of three-dimensional objects using additive manufacturing techniques. Materials are deposited layer-by-layer to form the final product. An example of 3DP technology is selective laser sintering (SLS). In SLS, a laser beam is used to melt a powdered resin. As the powder cools, it bonds together to create a solid object.
3. Polymerization
Polymerization is the chemical reaction that takes place between two monomers. Polymers are formed from multiple repeating units called monomers. When monomers react, they bond together and form long chains. If enough chains have combined, the polymer becomes strong enough to hold its shape.
THREE REASONS WHY SILICONE RUBBER IS VALUABLE IN MANUFACTURING
Silicone rubber has many benefits for your business, such as the following:
1. Molded parts have uniform thickness and consistency.
2. Parts are easy to remove from molds due to low adhesion (typically less than 1 pound-force).
3. Complex geometries are easy to produce with Silicone Rubber (SR) and SR composites.
WHY IS IT BEST TO CREATE SILICONE RUBBER PARTS WITH RAPID PROTOTYPING?
Rapid prototyping enables you to make physical models for testing out ideas before investing in real production tools. For example, if you are designing a new product but do not know how it will fit into the existing market, rapid prototyping makes it easy to test how well your design works.
Rapid prototyping allows you to create many different shapes quickly, saving time and money. It also eliminates the need for casting or forming molds, which can be expensive and difficult. It is easier to work with these materials than hard plastic ones since they can be easily shaped however you like.
At ARRK Asia, our team is made of experienced professionals who are always ready to offer the best advice and help in the success of your project. We listen carefully to your needs and strive to provide the right solution at the highest quality. Our goal is to create an excellent product for you while taking care of all aspects of the development cycle.
